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According to my NKJV the majority text and critical text have the pronoun as 'them', not 'us'. This is a textual variant that is peculiar to the Textus Receptus. I personally do not feel that it is a big problem.

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If I recall correctly, there is no variation in verse 9, the Greek reads "...and hast redeemed to God...", not specifying "us" or "them". The textual variation is all in verse 10, and perhaps more detail would be better discussed on the Translation forum.

Manscript evidence aside, an probably more in keeping with keeping the discussion in this forum, I personally think the "them" reading is likely more accurate because I don't believe the 24 elders are humans, based on other passages in Revelation that talk about them.

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From a theological perspective, if the correct translation is "us", then an argument could be made that the 24 elders represent the church.

If it is "them", it presents all kinds of problems for that view. Personally, I believe the 24 elders are angels. That seems to be the best view. I used to hold to the "church" view, but it is really unconvincing to me.

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I'm a little rusty on reading my textual apparatus, but I think it's safe to say that both the majority text and the eclectic text do have "them."

"Us" is found in a couple Old Latin versions, a Coptic version, and one Vulgate manuscript. It also appears in four Latin church fathers. If I'm reading this correctly, "us" is not in any extant Greek manuscript.

Erasmus' Greek Revelation manuscripts were notoriously poor. It's possible he may have relied on one of these versions for his text at this point. Someone else may know better than I.

I have just read in verse 21 of chapter 3 "To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on My throne, just as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.

These people are wearing crowns and I remember, "Be thou faithful to death and I will give thee a crown of life.

They are wearing white raiment, which Jesus has also promised that overcomers will do.

They are rewarded, and resting.

The throne of God is there and in Chapter 5 we see the Lamb of God is there.

Then when these creatures worship the Lamb is when they cast THEIR crowns before Him and go in to this paean of worship, and, to me, the first person makes more sense. It seemes to me that they are praising Him because He has redeemed THEM

I do know that He died for the sins of all men everywhere. This is the first passage in the two translations that got me upset because of the mental gymnastics I had already gone through in the 4th chapter, just marveling at the heavenly scene and identifying with their praise!

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